Skip to main content

The Flying Finns

From £1080

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

From £1080

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Overview

The Flying Finns are truly one of the finest Celtic bands around. If you want traditional Jigs, Modern Classics and even some Ceilidh then this high energy three piece band are for you. 

The Flying Finns play a variety of Celtic music, from Irish Ballads to Scottish Jigs and Reels. They perform regularly in Britain and in festivals throughout Europe.

All the musicians in the group are professionals that have trained at music college, made records and have performed on both T.V. and radio, including being featured in 'Loose Ends' on Radio 4. 

On top of their Celtic expertise they can also perform Barn Dances and Ceilidhs with a dance caller to teach the steps. 

Listen

Set list

Irish and Scottish Classics
.
Wild Rover
Danny Boy
Sweet Thing – Van Morrison
Whisky in the Jar
Dirty Old Town
Auld Lang Syne
St Patricks
.
Latin and Bluegrass
.
Oye como va
Bolero
Sweet Georgia Brown
Devil went down to Georgia
Dueling banjos
.
Barn Dance / Ceilidh
.
Dashing White Sergent
Rocky Road to Dublin
Mason’s Apron
Drops of Brandy
Irish Merry Making
Athol Highlanders
Morrison’s Jig
De’il among the Tailors
.
Pop Hits
.
Millennium – Robbie Williams
People are Strange – The Doors
Wonderwall – Oasis
Moondance – Van Morrison
Save Tonight – Eagle-Eye Cherry
Fisherman’s Blues – The Waterboys
.
and many, many more.

Reviews (10)

The Flying Finns are great guys and very easy to get on with. They really made the party enjoyable and got a crowd going and played some awesome tunes. A+ band

I just wanted to follow up. The music for Laura and Ray’s wedding and the night before were just amazing! Thanks for all that you did to make the wedding a complete success! This was my first wedding in England but for sure will be calling you for anything else we may have across the pond.
Please use me as a reference if you need to or let me know if I can post a great review anywhere. Thank you again! Just perfection!

If you’re looking for a band who can come onstage to a marquee full of people quietly chatting and drinking and within minutes turn them into full-scale dance machine with everybody in the place laughing and enjoying themselves, then I think The Flying Finns might be the act for you. Guests at our event (held to raise funds to prevent the destruction of a greenbelt zone) ranged from 20s to 60s, But all were captivated by the humour, professionalism and generally good time emanating from rom the band. I am a professional filmmaker and have shot an l lot of promo videos for bands, from Europe (yep, “the final countdown”) to Paul Young to AC/DC, and The Flying Finns have that same charismatic quality that you see in all these massively successful bands. For a 3 piece they also a pack a monster sound, and over the course of three sets in one evening they played not only the Gay Gordons and other traditional stuff but also Sex, Drugs and Rock ’n’ Roll and People Are Strange by The Doors – not something you hear from average Ceilidh band. I would highly recommend them if you’re having any kind of function we want to get the whole crowd involved. Oh and did I mention they’re very nice guys as well?

The Flying Finns music was irresistibly danceable. Their energetic and extremely skilled performance created a highly festive air. Their interpretations of folk music were as original as it was entertaining. I would not hesitate in recommending this hugely professional band

I was dubious booking before I had heard them properly but was THRILLED with their performance. They made the evening, they were friendly, lively, play every type of music and a proper treat. I would highly recommend them and now have to find an excuse for another party to get them back a second time! Thank you Flying Finns!

The Flying Finns were absolutely brilliant and exactly what we were after. This was a big corporate party for a young audience and they were fun and a modern take on a ceilidh band. I highly recommend them for any event as they would be great regardless of audience.

Hi The Flying Finns, Just wanted to say a big thank you for making Katie’s 18th so special. Everyone loved the music and the fact that you have a unique sound. Will be recommending you to our friends and family.

The Flying Finns played superbly at my pub conference at Laverstoke Park

The Flying Finns played at our wedding recently in Lichfield, they had travelled up from London especially. We were really impressed with their set and talent. I would highly recommend for an occasion. All our guests commented on how fantastic they sounded. So happy we booked them.

I booked The Flying Finns to play for my wedding and I was astonished by their ability to play almost any genre of music. They have a really lively act and are very down-to-earth, polite and professional to work with. It was clear that they really love playing music and their energy and enthusiasm infused the whole evening. The wedding reception was running late with the speeches and food, so The Flying Finns wandered around the tables playing violin and guitar acoustically before they played their evening set….It was magical. If I ever get married again, The Flying Finns will be my band of choice!!

FAQs

How far in advance should we book?

As soon as you know your date, really. Popular dates (weekends, especially in summer) can book up 12+ months ahead, but we've also pulled off cracking gigs with just a few weeks' notice if we're free. The earlier you lock it in, the more choice you'll have.

How much do you charge?

You can use the instant quote button on this page to get a price straight away — your fee will appear on screen, and you'll also get a follow-up email confirming it. If we're available and you're happy with the price, get back in touch with the Hireaband team to secure the date. It's very much first come, first served, so if we're available, don't hesitate.

What's your payment and cancellation policy?

Hireaband will ask for a reservation fee to secure your date, with the remaining balance due before the event (your booking confirmation will have exact dates and amounts). If you need to cancel or postpone, get in touch as early as possible — the closer to the date, the harder it is for Hireaband to fill the slot, so the cancellation terms reflect that. Full details are in your booking agreement, but the Hireaband team are always happy to talk through the specifics.

What if any timings change after booking you?

No problem at all. We know that timings and details aren't always set in stone at the booking stage, and plans have a habit of evolving as your big day gets closer. We're happy to be flexible around changes to your schedule, and if you decide further down the line that you'd like to add on any extra services, just get in touch with the Hireaband team and they'll sort it out for you.

What should we expect if we've never booked a live band before?

Totally understandable if this all feels a bit new! Booking a band is a big part of your day, so we're here to make it as straightforward as possible. We've performed at countless weddings and events, and the Hireaband team will guide you through every step, from your initial enquiry right through to the big day itself. If you're ever unsure about anything, just ask — that's what we're here for.

Can we see you perform live before booking?

We don't always have public gigs to invite you to (weddings tend to be private!), but we're always happy to jump on a call and talk you through what to expect. A public performance will often be posted on this page too, so it's worth checking back — and if we do have one coming up, we'll gladly send details your way.

How much contact will we have with the band before the wedding?

Hireaband will put you in direct touch with us around 3 months before your date, so you can go through all the finer details together — song choices, timings, any special requests and so on. In the meantime, the Hireaband team are always on hand to answer any questions you have, so you're never left waiting.

How many songs will the band learn especially for me?

We're happy to learn your first dance or a special request. Other songs depend on the time frame given and what the songs are. We're always keen to learn new things, so do let us know and we'll try to accommodate as best we can for you.

Can we choose our own setlist?

Yes, within reason. We have a core set of crowd-pleasers that we know works brilliantly, and we're experts at reading a room and picking the right songs on the night to keep everyone dancing. We're also always happy to tweak the setlist based on your taste — send us a few "must plays" and a few "please avoids" and we'll build the night around them. Just bear in mind that learning brand new songs from scratch (aside from your first dance) depends on notice — see above!

Will you be able to do my first dance?

Given enough notice, yes. It takes a while for us to rehearse a song to the high standards that we set ourselves. If you can give us at least 8 weeks' notice, that should be fine. The song also has to be suitable for a band. If we can't do it justice, then we can put it on an iPod and go seamlessly into our set at the end of it.

How much space does the band need?

This will vary depending on the size of the band and the setup on the night, but we've performed at a huge variety of venues and can comfortably fit into most spaces that have hosted a live band before. If your venue has anything a little unusual about it, we can usually find a way to make it work, so just get in touch if you're not sure and we'll be happy to advise.

What kind of music do The Flying Finns play?

We're a high-energy three-piece Celtic band playing a mix of traditional jigs, modern classics and Ceilidh music, spanning Irish ballads to Scottish jigs and reels.

Can The Flying Finns run a Ceilidh or Barn Dance?

Yes — alongside our Celtic sets, we can perform Barn Dances and Ceilidhs complete with a dance caller to teach your guests the steps.

How long do you take to set up?

We ask for around an hour to set up and check everything is working, but if it needs to be shorter, just let us know and we'll always accommodate as best we can.

How far will you travel?

We regularly perform all over the country, so distance really is no object, but we will require an additional fee for travel and may need bed and breakfast arranged for us. Any price you receive already includes travel costs, so there won't be any surprise extras on top.

Will we need to feed you?

It depends on timings, but generally some hot food would be hugely appreciated. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Normally a catering company will provide a 'crew meal' as part of their package, or we're happy to have evening food that's already available.

What do you wear?

We tend to be 'smart casual' as in our pictures and video. However, we can be smarter or more casual depending on your event and requirements.

How long do you perform for?

As standard, we provide 2 x 1hr or 3 x 40 minute sets as required on the night, up until midnight. We can play past midnight, but it can incur an additional fee. We are flexible though and will always try to accommodate your requirements. We can also add an additional 1hr set for a small fee!

Do you take breaks, and what happens to the music then?

Yes, we'll take short breaks between sets to grab a drink and catch our breath! During these breaks we'll have background music playing through our own PA system, so there's never a dead moment on the dancefloor. Just let us know if you have a particular playlist or Spotify account you'd like us to use.

Will the band provide a DJ service?

Yes, as standard we provide a playlist DJ service whenever we're not performing — so between sets and after our last set, right up until midnight (or your curfew if earlier). These are tried-and-tested playlists that we've refined over countless events, but you're also welcome to send us your own playlist to play instead. If you'd like a bit more than that, we offer an upgrade to a manned DJ service, where a band member stays on hand throughout to look after the music and take requests on the night.

Can you arrive earlier and finish later?

Our standard on-site time runs from 6pm to midnight, but we're happy to be flexible around your schedule. Whether you need us there earlier for an afternoon slot or performing later into the night, just let us know your requirements and we'll do our best to accommodate — additional fees may apply for extended hours.

Do you offer any optional extras?

Yes! On top of our standard package, we can offer a range of optional extras for an additional fee — things like extra performance sets, a manned DJ service, acoustic sets for your ceremony or drinks reception, and more. Just let us know what you have in mind and we'll see what we can put together for your day.

Do you provide all your own equipment?

Yes, all we need is a clear area in which to set up and a power supply.

Are you insured and PAT tested?

Yes to both. We carry full public liability insurance, and all our equipment is PAT tested annually. Hireaband will send your venue any certification that's required.

Can you work with sound limiters?

Yes. We don't 'love' them, but we absolutely can work within them.

What happens if one of the band is ill on the day of my event?

We have a network of fellow musicians that we can call on to stand in on the rare occasion one of the band is ill. On top of that, Hireaband is the UK's biggest entertainment agency and has access to dozens of wedding bands in your area even at the very last minute. However, we've never missed a gig yet.

Further Info

Line-Up

  • Default Line Up
  • Male Vocals/Guitar
  • Fiddle/Backing Vocals
  • Drums

Booking Add-ons

  • Early Arrival
  • Additional 1hr Set
  • Late Finish (After Midnight)
  • Barn Dance/Ceilidh Option With Caller

Provided by the Act

  • PA System
  • Complimentary Unmanned DJ Service (when not performing)
  • Stage Lighting
  • Public Liability Insurance & PAT Tested Equipment

Check availability and price for The Flying Finns

To find out if this act is available and what it would cost to hire them, please fill out the form.

To ensure the quote is as accurate as possible, remember to tell us the postcode or nearest town to your venue. Good Luck!